Ali Bacher, the man who restructured South African cricket after apartheid, has requested Cricket South Africa (CSA) to explain the reasons for the decision to remove David Teeger as U-19 captain a week before the World Cup in the country. Bacher, who is related to Teeger through his wife, questioned CSA’s explanation for the decision after a meeting with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD). Bacher expressed “dismay and concern” over the decision to stand Teeger down and asked for transparency on the matter. He has requested that CSA disclose the security reports that influenced the decision, a comprehensive explanation of the decision-making process, the specific factors that led to the removal of the captaincy, and clarification on whether any external pressures led to the decision. This comes after CSA invited SAJBD to a meeting, where the CSA’s lack of clear explanations led to concerns over the validity of the security concerns. The SAJBD accused CSA of anti-Semitism and allowing high-level political interference without providing evidence of such. Juan James has been named captain in Teeger’s place while CSA has denied any political involvement in its decision-making, and dismissed Teeger after protests at Newlands and the South African government’s action against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The decision has raised questions about Teeger’s safety and whether it would be compromised if he was leading the team. Protests are expected at the under-19 World Cup, and the PSA has been granted a permit for a protest outside the stadium, with extra security measures in place at all tournament venues.
